2021 Joe Lawson Memorial Day 2

<p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <p>On paper the Joe Lawson Tournament in Norman was the top tournament heading into the Oklahoma this weekend. Friday on the court, the players and teams backed it up. The two primetime games featured teams all with expectations to make it back to Norman in March for the state  Let’s dive into the players and moments that made it a big night of hoops!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tulsa Memorial 67 Norman North 62</strong></p> <p>The nightcap delivered with a tense first half that saw Norman North take an early lead thanks to microwave scoring from senior [player_tooltip player_id="955382" first="Kevin" last="Overton"]. The lefty was playing under more control when attacking the rim, then finished the first quarter with a flurry of triples. From that point, the teams traded blows like prize fighters, with North nursing a small lead into the half. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="965255" first="Jeremiah" last="Johnson"] was instrumental in maintaining that lead for the Timberwolves. Still recovering from his February off the court incident, the explosiveness that elevated his game as a sophomore has yet to fully return. Strides are still being made though, while his textbook shooting form and passing instincts remain. That suburb skill level is how he’s still able to impact games and produce numbers. The junior finished with 24 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. </p> <p>In the second half, Johnson remained the main catalyst for the Norman North offense. The problem for the Timberwolves is that Tulsa Memorial senior [player_tooltip player_id="955392" first="Tyreece" last="Frierson"] stepped up. In the first half the senior guard for the Chargers left fingerprints on the game, with assists, the occasional drive, and a triple. But in the second half he stopped leaving fingerprints, he grabbed the game by the reigns and never let go. Along with [player_tooltip player_id="967378" first="Seth" last="Pratt"], Frierson helped stretch out the defense with shooting and forced Norman North out of the zone. That’s when the magic started and the shifty point guard was able to break down the defense and knife his way into the lane for big time scores to maintain the lead. The elevation of Frierson’s game since Memorial lost in the first round of the Class 5A tournament last March has been one of the biggest storylines of this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Putnam City West 52 Del City 47</strong></p> <p>Putnam City West under Lenny Bert has thrived for the past decade with their waves of aggressive and quick guards. While they might not have the same top talent as year’s past, their hard-nosed playing style always produces results. Lenny Hatchett has instilled a similar mindset at Del City, but his current roster construction is built around the size of [player_tooltip player_id="981287" first="Terry" last="McMorris"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1068562" first="Brandon" last="Garrison"]. Del City is still in the process of replacing the perimeter play that allowed them to claim the 6A Gold Ball last year. Which gave an area of attack for the Patriots. Like wolves to red meat, future Baylor football player [player_tooltip player_id="955396" first="Corey" last="Gordon"], sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1295731" first="Jordan" last="Warrior"], Senior Jacob Blunt attacked with ferocity.  That allowed them to muck up the game, and bring the taller Eagles down to their level. </p> <p>The offensive standout from Putnam City West was junior [player_tooltip player_id="1068573" first="O’rian" last="Scales"]. Along with playing with the trademark defense intensity of the Patriots, the junior guard hit three after three after three. He hit at least four, with many of them coming in the second half. First his shooting helped build their lead in the third quarter, then Scales showed ice in his veins with a crucial corner three to stop a Del City rally in the fourth quarter.  Mixed in the blue collar defense that comes with being part of the Putnam City West program, and Scales looks poised to play a key role on a team chasing a Class 6A State Tournament berth.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Table Setter</strong></p> <p>The third place game at 3:30 on Saturday between Norman North and Del City has plenty of fireworks. [player_tooltip player_id="965255" first="Jeremiah" last="Johnson"] will look to build off his best performance of the season with another big challenge against the big Eagles squad. 6 foot 9 junior [player_tooltip player_id="1068562" first="Brandon" last="Garrison"] was contained by Putnam City West, making this a bounce back game. He’ll have his hands full with trying to stop the finesse floater game of Johnson along with the fast and strong drives of Overton. Fellow standout junior [player_tooltip player_id="981287" first="Terry" last="McMorris"] finished with a flurry in Del City’s comeback attempt. It’s important for the development of McMorris to build off that flurry and being more consistent in his production. </p> <p>Meanwhile in the title game, Ty Frierson has his biggest challenge yet. The pressure defense of Putnam City West has claimed many turnovers off other elite guards in Oklahoma for over the last decade.  The Memorial senior, can be loose with the ball and those are the type of mistakes that would play right into Putnam City West’s eager hands. The size of strength of [player_tooltip player_id="1158049" first="Bradyn" last="Hubbard"], [player_tooltip player_id="1049317" first="Killian" last="Spellman"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1068565" first="Jarreth" last="Ingram"] will not only be important down low, but making strong decisions against the press. </p>